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Originally Posted by Wasillaguy
Your assumptions, while dramatic, don't reflect my attitude at all. Your cynical stereotype of the cruel, selfish individualist is I'm sure a convenient outlet to direct your anger.
The facts, however, stand in bold contrast to your view. Capitalist, Christian, free enterprise based societies are by far the most charitable, with the highest levels of volunteerism.
I don't expect you to understand or believe what you can't see for yourself though. I just do what I can and have faith that I'm trying to serve my God as he taught, while recognizing I will fall short of the mark, and am forgiven.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finnbow
While the bolded statement is true, it is also true that the social democracies such as those in northern Europe are more generous and engaged in improving the lives of the poor than we are. I think that this is the Pope's point.
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Right. Less charity and volunteerism, because there is less need for it.
Also, there is no way to know whether one is forgiven until the end of ones life when whence he faces judgment. The whole pre-forgiven for events that have as yet to occur is a fallacy. It's like giving someone a pass at birth for any crimes he may commit later in life. It simply doesn't work that way.................unless you're born rich and connected, of course.
Dave